Apple Trees Are Only A Start * Orchard Owner Brought In High-tech Gadgets To Give Visitors A Full Day.

September 15, 1997|by ROCHELLE CRAIG (A free-lance story for The Morning Call)

When James Binsberger developed his Hilltown Township property from a couple of apple trees to an orchard, he wondered why anyone would venture to a back road to buy apples and peaches.

"We had to make it a pleasant experience," he said.

When he retired in 1990 after 32 years in human resources and sales training for Household International (formerly Household Finance Corp.), he and his wife Nancy developed Homestead Orchards and decided to get into retailing.

"Then we thought, What will it take to bring people in? Now when people come, they not only buy fruit, they make a day of it."

Binsberger concedes that he has gotten "carried away." For one thing, he has a computerized Johnny Appleseed and a computerized giant pumpkin that talk when visitors walk by.

"This year, we added a tricycle course," he said, "and people were saying, `You should have a real big maze,' so we added a Mega Corn Maze."

School groups will be coming for tours Monday to Friday until Nov. 1, the Dublin Lions will serve hot dogs and french fries every Saturday until the end of October, and a Johnny Appleseed Festival, a Pumpkin Festival, a Pig Roast, a Pumpkin Olympics, hayrides, pony rides and pick-your-own apples and pumpkins are on the fall schedule.

Nancy Binsberger is in charge of the retail store and bakery on the premises, where people can buy produce, candy, homemade fudge, homegrown popcorn-on-the-cob, and gift items.

"I never farmed before," James Binsberger said. "As a little boy, I thought I'd like to be a farmer but I never thought I would because I got into the business world. But then, the trees were here."

Most people, he said, think a farmer spends the day with a tractor or a hoe.

"But we're computerized. We have fax machines, car phones, pagers like any other business," he said. "Farming is not just growing it, it's marketing it. Most people's concept of a farmer is the Old MacDonald story, but no one can make a living like that."

Binsberger said he feels fortunate in that he's had "almost two different lives. It's nice to try something else," he said.

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"When people come, they not only buy fruit, they make a day of it." Name: James J. Binsberger